Blog

Helping hands, knowing smiles and a life well lived. Come on a journey with us, and let us show you what In Great Company is all about.

Read our stories and share the experiences of real people living their lives to the fullest.

Meet the volunteer: Antonio Morgan

Antonio and Ilona might seem like an unlikley pair, but In Great Company matched them on their interests, and their relationship couldn't be greater. We sat down with Antonio to find out more about his journey to volunteering and his experiences visiting Ilona.

Meet the staff: Mel Slater

Mel Slater has only been with the In Great Company team since the start of the year, but she's already been privy to all the wonderful friendships that come out of the volunteer program. Find out more about her!

Insights on finding purpose

We are sharing the uplifting story of Jazmin Theodora with you as part of our efforts to help you find your ikigai - your reason for being. Read on to find out more!

Happy National Volunteer Week!

This National Volunteer Week we are celebrating our In Great Company volunteers and recognising their power to tackle some of society’s greatest challenges.

Therese's special connection with Sue

In Great Company client Therese Cooney might have family and friends, but she only has one volunteer visitor - and she appreciates her more than anything! Therese and Sue make a great team, and we loved to hear about their budding friendship which benefits both the volunteer and the client. Read more!

Melissa and Ann forge lifelong friendship

In Great Company recognises the need of service that puts its clients first and creates a real difference in the lives of people and those volunteering their time to give back. We sat down with Melissa, and asked her about her experience with her companion client, Ann.

Meet the staff: Sue O'Toole

Sue has been working with Feros Care and In Great Company for a long time, and she enjoys both the work she does and the support she can show to clients and colleagues alike. We sat down to talk about her life journey that has led her here.

3 reasons for volunteering with seniors

At In Great Company, we’re big believers in matching volunteers with seniors who have common interests, hobbies, and values, so that they can build a true friendship. Helen shares her top 3 reasons for choosing to volunteer with seniors.

Ilona the Rummikub Queen

Ilona Wilhems counts herself lucky to have three volunteer companions - especially as she has converted 2 out of 3 of them to Rummikub! She speaks highly of the time she gets to spend with them, and hopes to have their friendship for as long as possible.

How to build rapport with seniors over the phone

Christine Edwards, a Kindness Warrior Volunteer at the Tweed Heads South office, shares her advice on how to build rapport with senior clients over the phone. Read on for her tips and experiences!

Meet the staff: Simon Ferris

Simon has been an In Great Company Volunteer Coordinator for over a year now, and in that time he has come to really appreciate the work he is doing - especially when it comes to creating connections for lonely seniors.

My new cooking buddy - Benefits of an air fryer

Meet our favourite cooking buddy - the air fryer. Owning an air fryer can be a big decision as no one wants to buy something they don’t need. However, there are so many great benefits to owning an air fryer that you wouldn’t have imagined before you bought one.

Meet the volunteer: Janette Thorburn

All her life, Janette Thorburn has been helping others - now that she is retired, she picked up exactly where she left off, providing seniors with companionship through In Great Company. We sat down with her to chat all things volunteering.

Lorraine finds a new life alongside her friendly visitor

Lorraine was very lonely before she was first visited by her friendly In Great Company volunteer, Helen. A year on, the two of them are inseparable, going on trips, getting their hair done together, and enjoying life. Read Lorraine's story!

The benefits of folding origami for seniors

Origami has become a popular activity among seniors, including those affected with Alzheimer’s, to help improve their hand-eye coordination, focus, and mental skills. Read about the benefits associated with this traditional Japanese practice!

Communicating meaningfully with seniors

A lot of the time, volunteers find themselves in a situation where they are unsure about communicating and engaging effectively with their senior client. We summarised the key takeaways and ideas to use when tackling these road bumps.

Meet the volunteer: Glenys Cosmas

Glenys has had her share of experiences in looking after others - so when the opportunity to volunteer with In Great Company presented itself, she felt she was perfect for the role. Find out how she finds being a volunteer in retirement.

Meet the staff: Brenda Tyack

Brenda has led an exciting and ever-changing life - she is now In Great Company's Volunteer Coordinator and gets to experience first-hand the lives this volunteer program changes.

Jacinta helps Chad organise his 50th anniversary

Ever since Chad's wife has gone into permament care, he has had a hole in his life - as he puts it, he can't function properly without people around. So when In Great Company volunteer Jacinta entered his life, everything took a turn for the better. Read more about his journey with In Great Company.

In Great Company wins Volunteer of the Year Award

In Great Company volunteer Bruce Mcnamara has been awarded the 2021 ACSA Aged Care Volunteer of the Year Award for NSW - and we couldn't be prouder of him! Read a bit about him and his journey to IGC!

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